Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Celebrates U.S. Removal of Syria from State Sponsors of Terror List Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) that the United States had removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, marking a significant step toward economic relief and post-war recovery for the war-torn nation. The decision, made on Monday (August 24), rescinded a designation that had imposed severe economic restrictions on Syria for decades, signaling a thaw in U.S.-Syrian relations following the 2024 ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. In a speech, Mr. Sharaa described the move as a turning point, stating, “Today, Syria shakes off a dark stain and tears away a painful chapter of its past to embark on a path of development, reconstruction and rebuilding.” He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and other nations that supported Syria during its transition. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the decision would “foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” while stressing that the U.S. remains committed to countering global terrorism and holding “bad actors” accountable. The U.S. Department of State also revoked its designation of the al-Nusra Front—later known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—as a global terrorist organization. Mr. Sharaa, who previously led the group, described the move as a recognition of Syria’s shift away from militant activity. The al-Nusra Front, once a branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria, severed ties with its parent organization in 2016. The U.S.#world_bank #u_s_president_donald_trump #syrian_president_ahmed_alsharaa #u_s_treasury_secretary_scott_bessent #alnusra_front
